Multi-selector unit for an ibm key punch machine



Sept. 20, 1966 R. E. SMITH 3,273,792

MULTI-SELECTOR UNIT FOR AN IBM KEY PUNCH MACHINE UDDUUDDDU 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. E. SMITH MULTI-SELECTOR UNIT FOR AN IBM KEY PUNCH MACHINE Sept. 20, 1966 Filed July 31, 1964 \J A i 5 w. I 4 mi w @159:5 (J 13,5@ @m5 N R 212 O Wu.. al 0 n. 6 E A E a a a a T e M H F T 2 N O U D. A M o, 3 E 2 H R N L. mw To 0OM w P A L D TU T W T C A w.. Iutm wJowoP :Orcwoa www?? W L MC U K l. U U H H I^j o moz .Soomm D rl.. um A 5 AP W 5` WH #Y F ma w A L w P wm K m Y V 5 5 8 M l .kh AJ f L RT o A1@ n@ C w M u R N 2 2 7 D. R N /l E EE 6 N f A E L nrmN O T R M H L E R A 1 O E M. N m wZOFPDmDa .SJZOU d P2ms N Q ai@ R m T@ mwwwhalnlli 6 I- d w x o w" @We T. M mw 0 A @ma y m R H O m m U @L wu z 5 R .h O l nl llr LIIII il.- E CCL .w R m w nu 4, 2 n s vom: on naman Sept. 20, 1966 R. E. SMITH 3,273,792

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Sept. 20, 1966 R. E. SMITH 3,273,792

MULTI-SELECTOR UNIT FOR AN IBM KEY PUNCH MACHINE Filed July 31, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 o oN AUTO DUP IAU REL E A5 E AUTO SKIP Nomnfansnd .nunon uomsod a I l l @lvm-mno' m9 i i i z SELECTOR AUTO SKIP u U ai a o n DowE R United States Patent O 3,273,792 MULTl-SELECTR Ulslii MBR AN IBM KEY PUNCH MACHENE Ralph E. Smith, Park Ridge, lll., assigner to Cam Corporation, Greenshcro, NCC., a corporation of North Carolina Filed duly 3l, 1964, Ser. No. 386,611 l5 Claims. (Cl. 23d-4S) The present invention relates to perforating machines in which record cards provided with columns Iof punching positions are perforated column-by-column under control of manually operated keys and as instructed by perforations on a program drawn pattern card.

Disadvantages of conventional card key punch machines presently available are best illustrated by a detailed and itemized listing of card key punch machine limitations. Normal operation of a conventional card key punch machine allows alphabetic duplication contrary to program drum pattern card instructions only by raising the starwheel arm assembly or depressing and holding the alphabetie shift key. The conventional machine will allow numeric punching contrary to program drum pattern card instructions only by depressing and holding the numeric shift key. The conventional machine has skipping ability subject to operator selection only for the duration of the eld within which the skip operation was initiated. The conventional machine will duplicate contrary to program drum pattern card instructions only for the duration of the eld within which the duplicating operation was initiated. Inherent in both of the above operations is the termination of a skipping or duplicating operation only at a position which marks the termination of a particular field, that is, field by field or partial field skipping. The conventional card key punch machine must operate with both the automatic duplicate and the automatic skipping operation in effect or with both disengaged. There can be no selective disconnection of these two operations. The conventional machine requires an actuation of the alternate programming key for each card cycle when the use of the alternate programming starwheels is desired. These limitations of conventional card key punch machines are well known in the art.

Therefore, one objective of this invention is to overcome the alphabetic duplication as conventionally employed on card key punch machine and allow alphabetic duplication at the operators selection and under the operators control, regardless of the instructions on the program drum pattern card and without raising the starwheel arms or depressing the alphabetic shift key.

Another objective of this invention is to affect a numeric shift without depressing the numeric shift key, regardless of the instructions on the program drum pattern card and a reversion back to the program drum pattern cards control.

A further object of this invention is to terminate selectively alphabetic duplication at any point within any eld regardless of the instructions specified by the program drum pattern card, without raising the starwheel arms.

Still another objective of the invention is to present a means for skipping any portion of the card by operator control while disregarding the instructions on the program pattern card.

Yet another objective of this invention is the ability to selectively disconnect automatic duplication from automatic skipping which converts programmed duplication fields to punch elds while enabling the operator to retain the benefit of automatic program skipping.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a device to selectively hold the normally open side of the alternate programming relay in a closed position which eliminates having to depress the alternate programming 3,273,792 Patented Sept. 20, 1966 key for each card cycle when the use of the alternate programming starwheels is desired.

Still a further objective of this invention is to increase program capacity and flexibility by selectively utilizing card program reading starwheels for other than their normal purpose.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention for an improvement in card key punch machines and attachments therefor will be more readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following general description of a conventional card key punch machine of one type and a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of this invention described with such machine taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that include a series of schematic and wiring diagrams, several of which diagrams are of conventional equipment for `orientation purposes and to which has been added or imposed in some instances one or more modifying circuits for the performance of various functions to achieve at least some of the aforementioned objectives, and in which drawings like references designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. l is a top plan outline view only of a conventional card key punch machine to which is attached a multiple selecting switch embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan View of a model programmed drum pattern card;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a programme-d drum pattern card illustrating partial rows and a series of full columns;

PIG. 4 is a schematic and block functional diagram of the multiple selecting switch diagrammatically imposed in conjunction with the pertinent standard circuitry of a card key punch machine having a single program illustra-ted, for example, in FIG. 5;

FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic presentation of the internal switch connections for a program-numeric-alphabetic toggle switch;

FIG. 5a is one portion of a wiring diagram of one form of a conventional card key punch machine, International Business Machine Model 024, which, when in conjunction with FIG. 5b forms the total schematic wiring diagram.

FIG. 517 is a second portion of a wiring diagram of one form of a conventional card key punch machine, International Business Machine Model 024, which, when viewed in conjunction with FIG. 5a forms the total schematic diagram, and on which one program phase has been shown and on which the area surrounded by the broken line indicates the positioning of a multiple selecting switch to modify the functional capabilities of the key punch machine; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged diagram of the brtoken line area in FIG. 5 illustrating the wiring circuit of the multiple selecting switch imposed on the circuit diagram of FIG. 5 but for utilization with multiple programs.

A preferred embodiment only of this invention will be described in respect to the modifications and improvements employed in `conjunction with an International Business Machine card key punch machine, Model 024, referred to herein sometimes as IBM O24, with the basic mechanical and electrical principles of oper-ation vbeing set forth as essentially disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,647,581 and standard bulletins of IBM which patent is incorporated herein by reference. The several cornponent units of the IBM card key punch machine and the multiple selector switch will be separately described in their interrelated connections and functions after which the complete operation of the m-ultiple selector device will be set forth with an explanation of the functional and circuit diagrams at which time the manner in which the various components are controlled to perform their functions will also be described.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, there is illustrated in FIG. l a combination alphabetic and numeric key board 100 mounted in conjunction with and for operating a card key punch machine '1 of the type commercially available and sold by International Business Machine Company as Model 024. The automatic card key punch machine 101 is provided with a record card feeding hopper 102 at the upper righthand section of the machine for feeding a blank record card through a card guide and card pusher (not shown) to -a card feed position 103 preparatory for feeding a blank record card to a punch station or line 104. As an individual record card is fed in a directed line of travel through the punch station or line 104 where the blank c-ard is selectively perforated to a read position 105 in its line of travel to a reading station 106, 4a series of sensing pins (not shown) detects card perforations and translates the information on a card being read to the punching station for duplicating information on to a record card to be punched. Record cards passing the reading station reach the ejection card station 107 preparatory to being positioned in the card stacker 108.

A program drum (not shown) is .positioned intermediate the width of the machine for supporting a programmed pattern card on which a single or plurality of programs have been scheduled. The programmed pattern drum card 109 provides program control setting up the machine for automatic control through the iield r-ow 110 (12) in which a series of fields `110a, b, c, etc. as defined on a program drum pattern card 109 in which the fields are set by a series of spaced apart perforations. The individual length of fields may vary such -as shown in the card 109 of FIG. 2 in row 110.

Referring to FIG. 4, the program drum sensing starwheels will displace a conducting member upon sensing the perforation in any one or more of four circuits designated field definition, automatic skip, automatic duplicate, and alphabetic shift. These circuits operate in a selected pattern as initially programmed on a program drum pattern card so as to control automatically the form and patterns of cards to be perforated.

A multiple selector switch 111 is preferably mounted Iadjacent to the keyboard 100 and in switch 111 is a selector key 113 provided for alternate or normal programrning, ya two-position pushbutton duplicating key 114, a one-position pushbutton skip key 115, a separating toggle switch 116 for automatic skip or automatic skip and automatic duplicate operation, .a two-position switch 117 for selection of either a first or an alternate program, and a three position program-numeric-alphabetic toggle switch 112 illustrated internally in FIG. 4A.

Program control is means for setting up the machine for automatic control. A programmed card is wrapped about the program drum and is provided with perforations in rows so as to close contacts through Starwheels (not shown) at predetermined positions as individual record cards pass through the machine. Starwheels sense the holes in the record card and transmit motion to their respective contacts and control circuits. These contacts will complete circuits for controlling spacing, skipping and other functional operations as will be particularly pointed out in connection with the functional and circuit diagrams hereinafter described. Automatic skipping, `automatic duplicating and shifting from numeric to alphabetic punching and from alphabetic to numeric punching are controlled by the programmed pattern card.

The record cards stacked in the card hopper 102, as well as the programmed pattern card 109, are provided with horizontal rows such as shown in FIG. 3, for eX- -ample, in the order -of rows 12, 11, 0, 1, 12, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, and there are 80 vertical columns across the length of the card such as shown in the bottom portion of the card 109 in FIG. 3. The programmed pattern card 109 and the blank record cards supplied from the record card hopper are actually the same type of cards having the same row and column layout enabling information programmed on the pattern card 109 to control the functional operations of skipping, duplicating and alphabetic and numeric shifting.

T-he duplicating function controlled by a program drum card of a normally operating IBM 024 is limited to the length of the individual eld in which the duplicating function is initiated. Only if the Starwheels are manually raised by the starwheel assembly switch (not shown) can the duplicating function extend beyond its own field. The multiple selector switch 111 has the ability to affect duplication at the oper-ators selection and under the -operators control, regardless of the instructions on the program drum card 109 and without raising the starwheel assembly arms or depressing either the alphabetic or the numeric shaft key. This is accomplished by depressing the two position pushbutton duplicating switch to a 'rst position, as shown in FIG. 4 by the broken line A, thereby breaking contact 12, the field definition circuit 118, breaking the power source (PS), and energizing the alphabetic shift circuit 122 and the automatic duplicating circuit 119 ythrough relay 462 of FIG. 5 at contact DP in FIG. 4. This allows the card key punch machine to duplicate at the speed of l() columns per second without regard to the particular fields involved passing through all field until the switch `115 is returned to normal operating position. Depressing the two position pushbutton duplicate switch 115 to the second position, designated by the broken line B, energizes the eld definition circuit 118 through contact 12 thereby causing the duplicating function to be performed at the speed of 20 columns per second without regard to the particular field or fields involved passing through all fields until the switch 115 is returned to normal operating position.

The IBM 024 card key punch machine under the control of the program drum pattern card 109 will skip only those portions of the `card as specified by the instructions on the pattern card. Skipping is therefore limited to the length of the particular ield in which the skipping function was initiated.

When utilizing a multiple selector switch 111, depressing the one position pushbutton skip `function switch 114 allows the skipping of any portion of the card regardless of the instructions on the program pattern card 109. This V is accomplished by breaking the field definition circuit 118 at contact `12, broken line C in FIG. 4, and energizing directly the automatic skipping function 120 at contact SK in FIG. 4.

Under normal operating conditions the IBM 024 will perform alphabetic duplication only if so programmed by the card on the program drum unless the stanwheel arms are raised or the alphabetic shift key 121 is depressed and held throughout the duration of duplication operation desired. Using the multiple selector switch 111 and positioning the three way program-numeric-alphabetic switch 112 to the alphabetic position v123 (FIG. 4A) iso lates the power source PS, breaks the field definition circuit 113, and energizes the alphabetic shift circuit 112 shown in FIG. 4. 'Positioning this -toggle switch 112 in the numeric position 124 (FIG. 4A) simply de-energizes completely the starwheel assembly thus causing only numeric punching to be effected. vWhen this toggle switch 112 is at the position marked program 125 (FIG. 4A), complete conventional program card reading is conducted.

Conventional operation of the IBM 024 machine allows only the combined automatic skip and duplicate function to be performed or neither can be utilized. The multiple selector switch 1'1'1 enables the operator to have both the automatic skipping and duplicating functions 120, 119 available `or solely automatic skipping 120 in FIG. 4. This is accomplished by positioning the toggle switch 1116 either at the automatic skip position 126 or at the automatic skip and duplicate position 127 in FIG. 4. The positioning of the toggle switch 116 separates the duplicating starwheel 128 of the starwheel assembly unit 1129 Ifrom the automatic duplicating circuit 119 shown in4 Alternate Codes First Code Function l2 Field Definition 4 2 11. Start; Auto Skip.. 5 3 (1 Start Auto Duplie 6 8 1 Alphabetic Shift 7 9 This feature is especially advantageous Iwhen an occasional card requires a different program control. Under normal operation the transfer from the first program to an alternate program Y or Z for a complete card or for a part of a card, is controlled by the operator by actuating an alternate program key 130 as shown in FIG. l.\ Once the record card being punched is completed, the machine automatically reverts to the 'first programming operation and must be returned to alternate programming by again actuating the alternate program key 130. Consequently this operation must be repeated Afor every record card to be punched. Positioning the alternate-program-normalprogram toggle switch 117 in the alternate program hold position 1311 (LFIG. 4) allows the machine to punch an indefinite number of cards on the alternate program so long as the switch y117 is in the alternate program position.

FIG. 5 represents a conventional circuit diagram of the IBM O24 card key punch machines and the broken line area encompasses that particular area in which the connections for the multiple selector switch components are wired into the circuitry. The circuit illustrated in .FIG. 5 is one of standard operating principles well known to those in the card punch machine art. The cooperation between the multiple selector switch 111 and the normally operating circuit -of `FIG. 5 may be best explained by referring to FIG. 6 'wherein the multiple selector switch is positioned physically and electrically within the master circuit. Referring now to FIG. 6, the skipping function to be initiated by a perforation deciphered at starwheel 11 remains unchanged from the standard circuit diagram of FIG. 5 since removal of the field definition circuit 118 from the skipping function 120 is now the primary objective.

De-energizing the Ifield definition circuit 1118 will-allow the skipping function to continue as long as the skip key 1.15 is actuated since `the grid of the I25L6 beam-power tetrode, tube 5, is now effected by a positive potential thereby overcoming the negati-ve biasing potential which normally holds tube 5 beyond cut-off and allowing current to flow in the plate circuit and the skip coil and escape magnet to be energized.

Stariwheel 0 (FIG. 6) representing the automatic duplicatingfunction1i19 is connected to the alternate skipping and duplicating position 127 on the multiple selector switch `111 thus allowing separation of the alternate skip and duplicate position 1116. This results in selectively disconnecting automatic duplicate from automatic skipping enabling an operator to retain the benefit of automatic programmed skipping. The selectivity is achieved by positioning toggle switch 116 at the desired combined or separate functions. IOnce again the triggering circuits for both the skipping '1/20 and the duplicating 119 functions are controlled lby the application of 25L6B beampower tetrodes, these tubes being normally held at 49 Volts negative potential and beyond cutoff, and being actuf5 ated only when a positive potential is applied to their grids thus overcoming grid bias and allowing current to flow in the plate circuits.

Under normal operating conditions the alphabetic field starwheel 1, must complete a circuit through sensing a perforation in a programmed card on the program drum in order for the card key punch machine to form perforations designating letters of the alphabet. The alphabetie numeric switch 112 incorporated in the multiple selector switch 111 selectively disconnects current going to the starwheel common lassembly 129` which cancels the program card starwheel reading. Therefore, the numeric position 124 of switch 112 causes only numeric punching to be effected since there is no energization of the starwheel assembly 1219. Positioning switch 112 in the alphabetic position 123 breaks the power source (PS), separates the field definition circuit 118 and energizes the alphabetic shift circuit 122. This, of course, is done through the normal operating procedure of overcoming the negative bias voltage on the grids of the various triggering -tubes in the particular circuits involved.

Obviously many modifications and variations may be made to alter the positioning and circuitry to achieve the functional results from those disclosed in the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention and such modifications and variations are contemplated within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for perforating record cards, sequential perforations in at least one row of a program drum pattern card defining at least one field for each record card, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than the eld defining rows to initiate a skipping operation whereby the record card is advanced past a perforating mechanism for the duration of the field within which skipping was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows and skip initiating rows whereby a reading card is duplicated by the perfora-ting mechanism on the record card for the duration of the field within which duplication was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows, skip initiating rows and duplicate initiating rows whereby an alphabetic character is code perforated on the record card for each of said perforations in said row of the program drum pattern card, means for shifting between alphabetic and numeric coding on a record card by bypassing the program drum pattern card perforations, means for either combined skip function and duplicate function operation or column-by-column skipping and duplication, and means for directing program card control from a first program to an alternate program whereby an alternate program mechanism is selectively actuated each time an alternate record card is to be perforated according to perforations contained on an alternate program of the` program drum pattern card, the combination of said machine with an attachment having means to initiate a skipping operation whereby the 4field defining function is released and a record card is advanced past the perforating mechanism for operator-controlled displacement up to the entire length of the record card, means for initiating a duplicating operation whereby -a reading card is duplicated on a record card by the perforating mechanism selectively for operator-controlled displacement up to the entire length of the record card, accelerator duplicating means for duplicating perforations to a record card from any selected record card columnar position up to the entire length of the card, means for selectively locking in the numeric or alphabetic coding position, means for separating the automatic duplicate and automatic skip functions for separa-te program drum pattern card controlled skip operation, and means for retaining program drum pattern card control in a selected alternate program for all subsequent perforating operations.

2. In a machine for perforating record cards, sequential perforations in at least one row of a program drum pattern card defining at least one field for each record card, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than the field defining rows to initiate a skipping operation whereby the record card is advanced past a perforating mechanism for the duration of the field within which skipping was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows and skip initiating rows whereby a reading card is duplicated by the perforating mechanism on the record card for the duration of the field within which duplication was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows, skip initiating rows and duplicate initiating rows whereby an alphabetic character is code perforated on the record card for each of said perforations in said row of the program drum pattern card, means for shifting between alphabetic and numeric coding on a record card by bypassing the program drum pattern card perforations, means for either combined skip function and duplicate function operation or column-by-column skipping and duplication, and means for directing program card control from a first program to an alternate program whereby an alternate program mechanism is selectively actuated each time an alternate record card is to be perforated according to perforations contained on the alternate program of the program drum pattern card, the combination of said machine with an attachment having means to initiate a skipping operation whereby the field defining function is released and a record card is advanced past the perforating mechanism for operator-controlled displacement up to the entire length of the record card, means for initiating a duplicating operation whereby a reading card is duplicated on a record card by the perforating mechanism selectively for operator-controlled displacement up to the entire length of the record card, and accelerator duplicating means for duplicating perforations to a record card at any selected record card columnar position.

3. In a machine for perforating record cards, sequential perforations in at least one row of a program drum pattern card defining at least one field for each record card, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than the field defining rows to initiate a skipping operation whereby the record card is advanced past a perforating mechanism for the duration of the field within which skipping was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows and skip initiating rows whereby a reading card is duplicated by the perforating mechanism on the record card for the duration of the eld Within which duplication was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card -other than field defining rows, skip initiating rows and duplicate initiating rows whereby an alphabetic character is code perforated on the record card for each of said perforations in said row of the program drum pattern card, means for shifting between alphabetic and numeric coding on a record card by bypassing the program drum pattern card perforations, means for either combined skip function and duplicate function operation or column-by-column skipping and duplication, and means for directing program card control from a lirst program to an alternate program whereby an alternate program mechanism is selectively actuated each time an alternate record card is to be perforated according to perforations contained on the alternate program of the program drum pattern card, the combination of said machine with an attachment having means for selectively locking in the numeric or alphabetic coding position, means for separating the automatic duplicate and automatic skip functions for separate program drum pattern card controlled skip operation, and means for retaining program drum pattern card control in a selected alternate program for all subsequent perforating operations.

li. In a machine for perforating record cards, sequential perforations in at least one row of a program drum pattern card dening at least one field for each record card, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than the field defining rows to initiate a skipping operation whereby the record card is advanced past a perforating mechainsm for the duration of the field within which skipping was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one r-ow of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows and skip initiating rows whereby a reading card is duplicated by the perforating mechanism on the record card for the duration of the field within which duplication was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows, skip initiating rows and duplicate initiating rows whereby an alphabetic character is code perforated on the record card for each of said perfora tions in said row of the program drum pattern card, means for shifting between alphabetic and numeric coding on a record card by bypassing the program drum pattern card perforations, means for either combined skip function and duplicate function operation or column-bycolumn skipping and duplication, and means for directing program card control from a first program to an alternate program whereby an alternate program mechanism is selectively actuated each time an alternate record card is to be perforated according to perforations contained on the alternate program of the program drum pattern card, the combination of said machine with an attachment having means to initiate a skipping operation whereby the field defiining function is released and a record card is advanced past the perforating mechanism for operator-controlled displacement up to the entire length of the record card, means for initiating a duplicating operation whereby a reading card is duplicated on a record card by the perforating mechanism selectively for operator-controlled displacement up to the entire length of the record card.

5. In a machine for perforating record cards, sequential perforations in at least one row of a program drum pattern card defining at least one field for each record card, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than the field defining rows to initiate a skipping operation whereby the record card is advanced past a perforating mechanism for the duration of the field within which skipping was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows and skip initiating rows whereby a reading card is duplicated by the perforating mechanism on the record card for the duration of the field Within which duplication was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows, skip initiating rows and duplicate initiating rows whereby an alphabetic character is code perforated on the record card for each of said means for shift between alphabetic and numeric coding on a record card by bypassing the program drum pattern card perforations, means for either combined skip function and duplicate function operation or column-by-column skipping and duplication, and means for directing program card control from a first program to an alternate program whereby an alternate program mechanism is selectively actuated each time an alternate record card is to be perforated according to perforations contained on the alternate program of the program drum pattern card, the combination of said machine with an attachment having means for initiating a duplicating operation whereby a reading card is duplicated on a record card by the perforating mechanism selectively for operatorcontrolled displacement up to the entire length of the record card.

6. In a machine for perforating record cards, sequential perforations in at least one row of a program drum pattern 4card defining at least one field for each record card, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than the field defining rows to initiate a skipping operation whereby the record card is advanced past a perforating mechanism for the duration of the field within which skipping was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows and skip initiating rows whereby a reading card is duplicated by the perforating mechanism on the record card for the duration of the field within which duplication was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows, skip initiating rows and duplicate initiating rows whereby an alphabetic character is code perforated on the record card for each of said perforations in said row of the program drum pattern card, means for shifting between alphabetic and numeric coding on a record card by bypassing the program drum pattern card perforations, means for either combined skip function and duplicate function operation or column-by-column skipping and duplication, and means for directing program card contr-ol from a first program to an alternate program whereby an alternate program mechanism is selectively actuated each time an alternate record card is to be perforated according to perforations contained on the alternate program of the program drum pattern card, the combination of said machine with an attachment having means for retaining program drum pattern card control in a selected alternate program for all subsequent perforating operations.

7. In a machine for lperforating record cards, sequential perforations in at least one row of a program drum pattern card defining at least one field for each record card, at least one perforation in 'at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than the field defining rows to initiate a skipping operation whereby the record card is advanced past a perforating mechanism for the duration of the field within which skipping was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows and skip initiating rows whereby :a reading card is duplicated by the perforating mechanism on the record card for the duration of the field within which duplication was initiated, at least one perforation in at least one row of a program drum pattern card other than field defining rows, skip initiating rows and duplicate initiating rows whereby an alphabetic character is code perforated on the record card for each of said perforations in said row of the program drum pattern card, the combination of said machine with an attachment having means to initiate a skipping operation whereby the field defining function is released and a record card is advanced past the perforating mechanism for operator-controlled displacement up to the entire length of the record card, means for initiating a duplicating operation whereby a reading card is duplicated on a record card by the perforating mechanism selectively for operator-controlled displacement up to the entire length of the record card, accelerator duplicating means for duplicating perforations to a record card at any selected record card columnar position up to the entire length `of the card.

8. In a machine for perforating record cards, means for shifting between alphabetic and numeric coding on a record card by bypassing the program drum pattern card perforations, means for either combined skip function and duplicate function operation or column-bycolumn skipping and duplication, and means for directing program card control from a first program to an alternate program whereby an altern-ate program mechanism is selectively actuated each time an alternate record card is to be perforated according to perforations contained on an alternate program of the progr-am drum pattern card, the combination of said machine with an attachment having means for selectively locking in the numeric or alphabetic coding position, means for separating the automatic duplicate and automatic skip functions for separate program drum pattern card controlled skip operation, and means for retaining program drum pattern card control in a selected alternate program for all subsequent perforating operations.

9. ln a card punching machine having means for controlling sequential `operation from a program pattern card to a record card, and means for translating information from `a reading card to a reco-rd card and in which the program pattern card has a plurality of programming positions including a first and alternate programs in which positions there is at least one field defined by spaced sequential series of perforations in a single row of at least lone perforation in `the pattern card for initiating a skip function in a lrow other than in the rows of eld perforations, means for traversing la single or a partial field individually, at least one porforation in the pattern card for initiating a duplication function in rows other than the field or skip rows, means for translating perforations from a reading card to a perforating actuating means for duplicating perforations from a reading card to a record card whereby perforations on the reading card are translated through the duplication function on the program pattern card to the record card, and at least one perforation on the pattern card for initiating an alphabetic function in rows other than in the rows of the field, skip or duplication functions, means for shifting between numeric and alphabetic coding, and selection means for either combined skipping `and duplicating or column by column skip positioning, the combination with said machine of an rattachment having a skip actuating means releasing field definition across the entire pattern card freeing the record card to travel through the card perforating zone for a terminable columnar displacement, a duplicating actuating means at any record card columnar position for releasing the field defining circuit and actuating the duplicator function in response to reading card perforations, an accelerator duplicating means in response to reading card perforations for duplicating perforations to a record card at any selected record card columnar position.

l0. In a card punching machine having means for controlling sequential operation from a program pattern card to a 'record card, and means for translating information from a reading card to a record card and in which the program pattern card has a plurality of programing positions including a first and alternate programs in which positions there is at least one field defined by spaced sequential series of perforations in a single row of at least one perforation in the pattern card for initiating a skip function in a row other than in the rows of field perforations, means for traversing a single or a partial field individually, at least one perforation in the pattern card for initiating a duplication function in rows other than the field or skip rows, rneans for translating perforations from a reading card to a perforating actuating means for duplicating perforations from a reading card to a record card whereby perforations on the reading card are translated through the duplication function on the program pattern card to the reco-rd card, and at least one perforation on the pattern card for initiating an alphabetic function in rows other than in the rows of the field, skip or duplication functions, means for shifting between numeric and alphabetic coding, and selection means for either combined skipping and duplicating or column by column skip positioning, the combination with said machine of an attachment having a skip actuating means releasing field definition across the entire pattern card freeing the `record card to travel through the card perforating zone for a terminable columnar displacement, a duplicating actuating means at any record card columnar position for releasing the field dening circuit and actuating the duplicator function in response to reading card perforations, an accelerator duplicating means in response to reading card perforations for duplicating perforations to a record card at any selected record card columnar position, means for selectively switching from said duplicating actuating means to said accelerator duplicating actuating means, means interposed in said selection means for either skipping and duplicating, operation or skipping operation, means for selectively locking in the numeric or alphabetic coding position, and means for successive repetition of a selected alternate program position out of a plurality of programming positions.

f1. In a card punching machine having means for controlling sequential operation from a program pattern card to a record card, and means for translating information from a reading card to a record card and in which the program pattern card has a plurality of programming positions including a first and alternate programs in which positions there is at least one field defined by spaced sequential series of perforations in a single row of at least one perforation in the pattern card for initiating a skip function in a row other than in the rows of field perforations, means for traversing a single or a partial field individually, at least one perforation in the pattern card for initiating a duplication function in rows other than the field or skip rows, means for translating perforations from a reading card to a perforating actuating means for duplicating perforations from a reading card to a 'record card whereby perforations on the reading card are translated through the duplication function on the program pattern card to the record card, and at least one perforation on the pattern card for initiating an alphabetic function in rows other than in the rows of the field, skip or duplication functions, the combination with said machine of an attachment having a skip actuating means releasing field definition across the entire pattern card freeing the record card to travel through the card perforating zone for a terminable columnar displacement, a duplicating actuating means at any record card columnar position for releasing the field defining circuit and actuating the duplicator function in response to reading card perforations, an accelerator duplicating means in response to reading card perforations for duplicating perforations to a record card at any selected record card columnar position, means for selectively switching from said duplicating actuating means to said accelerator duplicating actuating means.

12. In a card punching machine having means for shifting between numeric and alphabetic coding, and selection means for either combined skipping and duplicating or column by column positioning, the combination with said machine of an attachment having means interposed in said selection means for either skipping and duplicating, operation or skipping operation, means for selectively locking in the numeric or alphabetic coding position, and means for successive repetition of a selected alternate program position out of a plurality of programming positions.

13. In a card punching machine having a program drum pattern card with at least one field defined by a spaced sequential series of perforations in a single row, at least one perforation in a row other than in the rows of field perforations in the pattern card for initiating a skip function, means for traversing a single or a partial field individually, and selection means for either combined skipping and duplicating or column by column positioning, the combination with said machine of an attachment having a skip actuating means releasing field definition across the entire pattern card freeing the record card to travel through the card perforating zone for a terminable columnar displacement, means interposed in said selection means for either skipping and duplicating,

operation or skipping operation.

I4. In a card punching machine having at lleast one field defined by a spaced sequential series 4of perforations in a single row of a pattern card, at least one perforation in the pattern card for initiating a duplication function in rows other than lthe field or skip rows, means for translating perforations from a reading card -to a perforating actuating means for duplicating perforations from a reading card to :a record card whereby perforations on the reading card are translated through the duplication function on the program pattern card to the record card, and selection means for either combined skipping and duplicating or column by column positioning, the combination `with said machine of an attachment having a duplicating actuating means at any record card columnar position for releasing the field defining circuit and actuating the duplicator function in response to reading card perforations, an accelerator duplicating means in response to reading card perforations for duplicating perforations to a record card at any selected record card columnar position, means for selectively switching from said duplicating actuating means to said accelerator duplicating actuating means, means interposed in said selection means for either skipping and duplicating, opera-tion or skipping operation.

I5. In a card punching machine having means for controlling sequential operation from a program pattern card to a record card, and means for translating information from a reading card to a record card and in which the program pattern card has a plurality of programming positions including a first and alternate programs in which positions there is at least one field defined by spaced sequential series of perforations in a single row of at least one perforation in the pattern card for initiating a skip function in a row other than in the rows of field perforations, means for traversing :a single or a partial field individually, at least one perforation in the pattern card for initiating a duplication function in rows other than the field or skip rows, means for translating perforations from a reading card to a perforating actuating means for duplicating perforations from a reading card -to a record card whereby perforations on the reading card are translated through the duplication function on the program pattern card to the record card, and at least one perforation on the pattern card for initiating an alphabetic function in rows other than in the rows of the field, skip or duplication functions and means for shifting between numeric and alphabetic coding the combination with said machine of an attachment having a :ship actuating means releasing field definition across the entire pattern card freeing the record card to travel through the card perforating zone for a terminable columnar displacement, a duplicating actuating means at any record card columnar position for releasing the field defining circuit and actuating the duplicator function in response to reading card perforations, an accelerator duplicating means in response to reading card perforations for duplicating perforations to a record card at any selected record card columnar position, means for selectively switching from said duplicating actuating mean-s to said accelerator duplicating actuating means, means for selectively locking in the numeric or alphabetic coding position, and means for successive repetition of a selected alternate program position out of a plurality of programming positions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM S1 LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

12. IN A CARD PUNCHING MACHINE HAVING MEANS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN NUMERIC AND ALPHABETIC CODING, AND SELECTION MEANS FOR EITHER COMBINED SKIPPING AND DUPLICATING OR COLUMN POSITIONING, THE COMBINATION WITH SAID MACHINE OF AN ATTACHMENT HAVING MEANS INTERPOSED IN SAID SELECTION MEANS FOR EITHER SKIPPING AND DUPLICATING, OPERATION OR SKIPPING OPERATION, MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY LOCKING IN THE NUMERIC OR ALPHABETIC POSITION, AND MEANS FOR SUCCESSIVE REPETITION OF A SELECTED ALTERNATE PROGRAM POSITION OUT OF A PLURALITY OF PROGRAMMING POSITIONS. 